GeForce RTX 2080 vs GeForce RTX 3060 8GB
The GeForce RTX 2080 is a big jump in performance — leading the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB by roughly 19% in our performance index. It also comes out ahead on value, making it the straightforward pick if the price fits your budget.
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GeForce RTX 2080 vs GeForce RTX 3060 8GB: In-Depth Breakdown
Performance: GeForce RTX 2080 vs GeForce RTX 3060 8GB
The GeForce RTX 2080 is significantly faster, around 19% ahead of the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB. Both cards sit in the same broad class, well suited to 1080p.
Price & Value
On price, expect to pay $249 GBP for the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB versus $265 GBP for the GeForce RTX 2080. Because it's both faster and competitively priced, the GeForce RTX 2080 wins on performance-per-dollar by about 12%. The GeForce RTX 3060 8GB is trading below its $329 GBP MSRP — a genuine deal. The GeForce RTX 2080 is trading below its $699 GBP MSRP — a genuine deal.
Power & Efficiency
The GeForce RTX 3060 8GB draws just 170W versus 225W for the GeForce RTX 2080, and it also delivers more performance per watt — so it runs cooler and quieter and needs less PSU headroom. Its more modern Ampere architecture on a Samsung 8nm process is part of why it does more with each watt.
Memory & Bandwidth
The GeForce RTX 2080's memory is faster — 448 GB/s versus 240 GB/s (256-bit vs 128-bit bus) — which helps feed the GPU at 4K and with heavy textures.
Generation & Longevity
The GeForce RTX 3060 8GB is roughly 3 years newer than the GeForce RTX 2080 (Ampere vs Turing), so it generally benefits from a more modern architecture and longer driver-support runway.
Which should you buy: GeForce RTX 2080 or GeForce RTX 3060 8GB?
The GeForce RTX 2080 is the all-round winner here — it's faster and the better value, so buy it if it fits your budget. Only consider the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB if you find it at a steep discount.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the GeForce RTX 2080 better than the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB?
Which is better for 4K gaming, the GeForce RTX 2080 or the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB?
Is the GeForce RTX 2080 worth the extra $16 GBP over the GeForce RTX 3060 8GB?
Which should you buy: GeForce RTX 2080 or GeForce RTX 3060 8GB?
Technical Specifications Comparison
Architecture & Cores
| Specification | GeForce RTX 2080 | GeForce RTX 3060 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Turing | Ampere |
| Process Node | TSMC 12nm | Samsung 8nm |
| CUDA Cores (CUDA Cores / CUDA Cores) | 2,944 | 3,584✓ |
| Ray Tracing Cores | 46✓ | 28 |
| Tensor / AI Cores | 368✓ | 112 |
Clock Speeds
| Specification | GeForce RTX 2080 | GeForce RTX 3060 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| Base Clock | 1,515 MHz✓ | 1,320 MHz |
| Boost Clock | 1,710 MHz | 1,777 MHz✓ |
Memory
| Specification | GeForce RTX 2080 | GeForce RTX 3060 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 | GDDR6 |
| Memory Bus | 256-bit✓ | 128-bit |
| Memory Speed | 14 Gbps | 15 Gbps✓ |
| Bandwidth | 448 GB/s✓ | 240 GB/s |
Connectivity & Power
| Specification | GeForce RTX 2080 | GeForce RTX 3060 8GB |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | PCIe 3.0 x16 | PCIe 4.0 x16 |
| TDP | 225 W | 170 W✓ |
| Power Connectors | 1x 6-pin + 1x 8-pin | 1x 8-pin |
| Released | Sep 2018 | Feb 2021 |